April 19th. — We have four days of universal and
heartfelt sorrow and mourning; business has been nearly suspended. There was a
meeting in Union Hall on Monday evening, and, although very rainy, the hall was
full. I presided, and spoke a few minutes, and was followed by Mr. Salter,
Father Donelan, and Mr. Darwin. At twelve o'clock to-day there were religious
services in all the churches, and I hear that all were crowded; Mr. Salter's
certainly was. In the afternoon there was an immense procession through the
streets, ending its march at the hall, where as many entered as could, leaving
a large part out-of-doors. I again presided, and opened and closed with a few
remarks. There was not a business-house, or a drinking-house even, open during
the day, nor an inebriated man to be seen in the town. No Sunday was ever so
universally kept sacred in Burlington. The real grief does not seem to be
confined to any party or sect. Everybody seems ready to canonize Mr. Lincoln's
memory. If there ever was a man who was happy in his death, that man was Mr.
Lincoln. He is for all time to enjoy the reputation of carrying the country
successfully through a four years' terrible civil war, and is to have none of
the odium and hate that are sure to be engendered by the rival schemes and
rival parties for the adjustment of our troubles.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 279
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